Slinker began studying martial arts at a young age and attained the rank of second dan black belt in judo and sixth dan in Yōshūkai. He joined the United States Marine Corps at age 17 before attending the University of Tampa. He worked as a police officer for the Tampa Police Department for ten years. Slinker also taught Yoshukai Karate under Mike Foster, coaching his fighters in the Battle of Atlanta (1976) among others. He competed in 29 karate tournaments, of which he won 27. In 1971, he was named to the United States judo team.[1] That year, he also won the Amateur Athletic Union Southeast heavyweight championship in judo.[3]
Slinker also competed as a tag team wrestler, teaming with Kendall Windham, Edward Leslie and Ron Bass. On December 25, 1978, at the NWA Mid-South Superdome Extravaganza, Slinker and Bass competed in a tournament to determine the new holders of the NWA United States Tag Team Championship. They faced André the Giant and Dusty Rhodes but were defeated.[6] Competing in a tag team with Sgt. Rock in 1990, Slinker also won the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship. They won the title on November 12, 1990, and held the belts until the title was abandoned.[2][6][7]
After retiring as a professional wrestler in the early 1990s, Slinker managed Ron Bass and Robert Fuller before becoming a promoter and booking agent in Florida. Meeting Rob Szatkowski, Slinker suggested he change his ring name to Rob Van Dam, a name he has used ever since. He also introduced Szatkowski to Japanese promoter Giant Baba and helped him find work in World Championship Wrestling.[1][2] While working for the United States Wrestling Association, Slinker also helped train such wrestlers as Flex Kavana, who later gained fame as The Rock.[2][8]
Personal life
Slinker had two children, David, Jr. and Dina. He also had a twin brother named Don, another brother named Bill, and a sister named Mary Jo.[1] He also had a stepson, Dennis Knight, who has competed under the ring names Tex Slazenger, Phineas Godwinn, and Mideon. In 1979, Slinker appeared in Mr. No Legs, a kung fu movie.[2]
Throughout much of his life, Slinker struggled with addiction. He was arrested on multiple occasions, which led to charges of theft and conspiracy to deliver drugs. He died on March 28, 2008, of liver failure, brought on by a lifetime of alcoholism.[2]
^ abcdefgMackinder, Matt (April 6, 2008). "Slinker couldn't shake alcoholism". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
^Swift, Jack E. "Nice People and Champions are Made Here". Black Belt. 11 (9). Active Interest Media, Inc.: 24. ISSN0277-3066.
